Salinity tolerance of European catfish (Silurus glanis Linnaeus, 1758) larvae

Vasilka Krasteva, Maria Yankova, Tania Hubenova

Abstract: The aim of the study is to establish the salinity tolerance of European catfish larvae towards different concentrations of NaCl. The experiment is carried out with 120 fish (body weight 70.2 ± 12.05 mg and total length 22.07 ± 1.33 mm). Three concentrations of NaCl (1.5%, 3% and 5%) are tested at different exposures. The studied individuals showed tolerance towards 1.5% NaCl solution for 15 and 30 minutes exposure (Variant A1 & A2), 3% NaCl – for exposure of 5 minutes (Variant B1) and 5% NaCl – for 1 minute (Variant C1), which means that these concentrations at the respective exposures can be used for the prophylactic treatment of larvae. Saline solutions of 3% NaCl for 10 minutes exposure (Variant B2), as well as 5% NaCl for 3 minutes exposure (Variant C2), are not in the salinity tolerance range of the studied species due to reported mortality of 5%, respectively, are not recommended for use in fish farming practice.

Keywords: European catfish (Silurus glanis L.); larvae; salinity tolerance; sodium chloride

Date published: 2020-09-15